A French Philosopher and writer, Michel De Montaigne, is considered an important philosopher from the period of the French Renaissance.

Fame and tranquility can never be bedfellows.

Unlike some of his contemporaries, Mr. Montaigne believed that seeking one's own glory or fame, keeps one from living a tranquil life.

If you are set on living a tranquil life, then the opinions of others should not matter to you, but if you seek fame, then you are obligated to seek their opinion, and since you are seeking their opinion, you can no longer be tranquil.

In his opinion, we should not of "other people's approval and admiration as being valuable". (p109 philosophers book)

Montaigne went on to say "we should imagine that some truly great and noble being is constantly with us, able to observe our most private thoughts, a being in whose presence even the mad would hide their failings.  By doing this, we will learn to think clearly and objectively and behave in a more thoughtful and rational manner."  (p.109)

You know I read that and I thought "huh... that is cool"... if we, as believers, realize that God can hear our every thought and idea, would it not cause us to be think through our responses a bit more?   Too often we jump the gun, and we act before thinking that we are responsive to a greater being... that being GOD.    Fascinating eh?

Anyways, back to talk about this philosopher.  :)

Montaigne was born into a catholic family and remained a member of the catholic church his entire life.    His family was wealthy and he was educated at home.   He made a great friend at age 24 with Étienne de la Boétie.   This was an intellectul as well as emotional friendship and they formed a great bond.  When de la Boétie died, Montaigne turned to his writing career.  Two years after his friend died, he married Françoise de la Chassaigne, and of six children born, only one daughter survived.

He often wrote in a personal manner, which was not the style of the day, and some disagreed with his methods. 

Sources:
IEP.  Wiki. Britannica.

Lyrics

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
"Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!"

William W. Walford is the author is this sweet, quiet hymn.  We sang it this morning and church and I have to tell you, this whole week has seemed filled with the topic of prayer, two reviews done.. both on the thought of prayer, and a sermon about prayer... and this sweet hymn... think God is trying to tell me something??

There seems to be two William Walford around at the time, and which one is the author is up for some debate.  (source)  The same source that gave me that information also wrote these words
When not referring to matters of taste, “sweet” indicates something that is pleasant, agreeable and delightful. The word also has an older meaning–which might have been known by Mr. Walford–and that is respected, indicating that the hour of prayer is esteemed and held in high honour. All of that surely describes well our times before God’s throne.

I read that and thought wow...that adds an extra layer to this hymn doesn't it.   To not just think of how the author appreciates his time of prayer, but how he respects his time of prayer, almost like he covets this time...

THIS THIS my readers is what I need to learn to do.  To covet, to deeply respect and long for, my time of prayer.   To treat it like the treasure that it is, and through that to learn to be the prayer warrior that God calls me to be.

Back to the hymn study.  :)  

More about Walford. 
Thomas Salmon, a New York native, spent some time in Coleshill, Warwickshire, England, where he became acquainted with William. He tells this tale of what happened one day, while he was visiting the blind pastor:

"...He repeated two or three pieces which he had composed, and having no friend at home to commit them to paper, he had laid them up in the storehouse within. "How will this do?" asked he, as he repeated the following lines, with a complacent smile touched with some light lines of fear lest he subject himself to criticism. I rapidly copied the lines with my pencil, as he uttered them, and sent them for insertion in the Observer, if you should think them worthy of preservation."  (source)

Walford, a blind preacher, with a prodigious memory.   Amazing isn't it?   A person, who owned a trinket shop, so easily discounted, composing hymns that are still well-known today.    God works in such interesting ways.  :)

Lyrics

Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
Christ, the true, the only Light,
Sun of Righteousness, arise,
Triumph o’er the shades of night;
Dayspring from on high, be near;
Day-star, in my heart appear.

Dark and cheerless is the morn
Unaccompanied by Thee;
Joyless is the day’s return
Till Thy mercy’s beams I see;
Till they inward light impart,
Glad my eyes, and warm my heart.

Visit then this soul of mine,
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;
Fill me, Radiancy divine,
Scatter all my unbelief;
More and more Thyself display,
Shining to the perfect day.

Well... that was an interesting voyage through all kinds of different tunes for this lovely hymn, I've always known this tune to Lux Prima and wow..the others just sounded quite different to me.  :)   What tune do you sing this hymn too?

These are the four tunes used:

• Day-Star, Sam­u­el S. Wes­ley, 1872
• Fred til Bod, Lud­vig M. Lin­de­man, 1871
• Lux Pri­ma (Gou­nod), Charles F. Gou­nod, 1872
• Ministres de l’Éternel, Ge­ne­van Psal­ter, 1562

Written by Charles Wesley.   This hymn was originally called "A Morning Hymn".

Did you know that The 18th-century Englishman Charles Wesley (1707-1788) wrote, according to eminent 20th-century hymnologist Erik Routley, “more than 8,989 poems with over 6,000 of them qualifying as ‘hymns.’” That’s 3.4 poems per week, Routley added, “assuming him to have died in the act of writing.”  (source)  Not only did he write a lot of poems, he also wrote them to be theologically sound.

Today is people in uniform day. You know, the nurses, firefighters, police, and such like. At the highschool today our international student will be seeing the RCMP musical ride. I hope he will enjoy it. We saw it a few years back at the Royal Winter Fair and it was really well done.

So when I was considering when to post my review for Florence Nightingale by Catherine Reef, I thought, what better day to do it then on People in Uniform Day.

This is a larger book, around 8 x 10 inches, Full of black and white images from Florence’s life and history.

Florence was a lady who “pushed hard against her family objections – and society’s rigid rules – to create the life she felt called to live”. Florence lived in the 19th century when a man could walk around freely and choose his path to live, but women were expected to keep the home and stay within it. Florence “wanted the world to move forward. She thought that in nursing, as in every human activity, “constant progress is the law of life.”” (pp4-6)

This book leads us carefully through Florence’s life, her family, the obstacles she faced, and her tenacity to do what she fervently believed she was meant to do. Through her, the face of nursing was changed.

Through Florence, the first non-religious school of nursing opened on 1860, all the students were women as she believed the nursing was a women’s profession. Florence, was by this time, too weak to teach classes herself, she wrote yearly letters to the students reminding them to have faith in God and to keep learning throughout their careers.

Florence’s faith in God was based in action. God calls us forth to work and do. She questioned much about the bible, but considered God and his work an important part of her life.

This was a fascinating book to go through, I learned so much! :)
Her motto is a good one, Keep learning, keep questioning, and keep moving forward. Think about God first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Book Synopsis:
Most people know Florence Nightingale was a compassionate and legendary nurse, but they don't know her full story. This riveting biography explores the exceptional life of a woman who defied the stifling conventions of Victorian society to pursue what was considered an undesirable vocation. She is best known for her work during the Crimean War, when she vastly improved gruesome and deadly conditions and made nightly rounds to visit patients, becoming known around the world as the Lady withthe Lamp. Her tireless and inspiring work continued after the war, and her modern methods in nursing became the defining standards still used today. Includes notes, bibliography, and index .

Niccolo Machiavelli was a political philosopher from the 1400's.  He was born in Italy during a time of almost constant upheaval.  This shaped his political views.

Niccolo Machiavelli wrote a book called "The Prince".   This book was about man willing to be very cunning and unscrupulous in pursuit of his political career.   Because of this book The term Machiavellian came into use.  

To have Machiavellian tendencies means one is cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics or in advancing one's career.

Machiavelli won the title of "father of modern political theory."   He also wrote several poems as well.

Machiavelli's basic premise was this
The success of the state or nation is paramount and Whoever governs the state or nation must strive to secure both his/her own glory and the success of the state.
In order to do this they cannot be bound by morality. Therefore the end justifies the means.

Little is known about the early life of Machiavelli, or the education that he received.  We do know that he worked in a relatively high position in chancery's, under religious leaders.  Part of "The Prince" came as a result from his time working in this position.

At one point he was falsely implicated in a plot against the Medici family (which was in power at the time) he was tortured, fined and imprisoned and lost the ability to find a new political position.   He wrote this book to present as an aide to the prince (a popular thing to do at the time)

The book "The Prince" is witty and cynical, showing a great understanding of Italy in general and Florence in specific  It was meant to give ruthlessly practical advice to a prince  OR it was written as a satire so that the regular people would do all they could to avoid having a leader such as written in the book.   It's hard to know for sure.  :)

So what do you think?   Does the end justify the means?

Additional Resources:
Britannica. History Guide.  biography.  

Lyrics

1. God, be merciful to me;
On Thy grace I rest my plea
Plenteous in compassion Thou,
Blot out my transgressions now;
Wash me, make me pure within;
Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.

2. My transgressions I confess;
Grief and guilt my soul oppress.
I have sinned against Thy grace,
And provoked Thee to Thy face.
I confess Thy judgement just;
Speechless, I Thy mercy trust.

3. I am evil, born in sin;
Thou desirest truth within.
Thou alone my Savior art,
Teach Thy wisdom to my heart;
Make me pure, Thy grace bestow,
Wash me whiter than the snow.

4. Broken, humbled to the dust
By Thy wrath and judgment just,
Let my contrite heart rejoice,
And in gladness hear Thy voice;
From my sins O hide Thy face,
Blot them out in boundless grace.

5. Gracious God, my heart renew,
Make my spirit right and true.
Cast me not away from Thee,
Let Thy Spirit dwell in me;
Thy salvation's joy impart,
Steadfast make my willing heart.

6. Sinners then shall learn from me,
And return, O God, to Thee
Savior all my guilt remove,
And my tongue shall sing Thy love
Touch my silent lips, O Lord,
And my mouth shall praise accord

Based on Psalm 51 this hymn has gone through a few changes in it's life.  :)   Slightly different versions appeared in three older Scottish Psalters.   HymnStudies has it's complicated history explained.

Richard Redhead is believed to be the composer of the music.  Beyond that I couldn't really discover who the composer was.

My son and I were all set to start a new living history book, but as I was cleaning up the book room and organizing things I came across this old book by Natalie Carlson.  I thought to myself it was short enough to read before reading the history book so why not, it would be a good way to introduce my lad to children who needed help.

What I didn't realize was ...how much we would learn about France and how that would ignite my son's curiousity.

MOM!   They have a fish day?   Why would they call it a fish day???  
So I asked my summer student about it as he comes from France.  His response:

1. April Fool's day is called "Poisson d'avril" in french. So I think that a good translation for April Fool's day would be The April's Fish. During this day, children used to put fish in papers on the back of their friends (or on the back of the teacher but it's even harder ;) ). On the first of April, you can say whatever you want and then add "Poisson d'Avril" which means that you are joking and you got them pranked ! To conclude on this question, most of time April Fool's day is a funny day.

Then we learned about the picking of flowers that happens in the spring, and the gifting of those flowers to the French President.

2. The first of May, we used to offer thrush flower. These flowers are called "Muguet" in France. This day is called the work's day ( = "le jour du travail" in french).
Well, those flowers are growing in Nantes so most of the people are buying trush flowers in a supermarket. Some people are offering it to the President because he is the one that controls the France and make people work. 
I found an internet site to learn the history of the muguet, here the link is : http://m.programme-tv.net/news/buzz/84746-1er-mai-pourquoi-offre-t-on-du-muguet/  . You can use google trad to translate it, I think it will be fine ;).

Other than the new things we learned about France we THOROUGHLY enjoyed this book.   The main character was an engaging young lass named Josine who caused so much trouble and yet helped resolve it as well.    We had frequent laughs and were disappointed when the story ended. 

I like reading older books with my lad, you never know what you might learn.  :) 
Do you have any you would recommend? 
If so, can you tell me why?  

“The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.” Romans 5:5

Lyrics:

Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove,
With all Thy quick’ning powers;
Kindle a flame of sacred love
In these cold hearts of ours.

Look how we grovel here below,
Fond of these trifling toys;
Our souls can neither fly nor go
To reach eternal joys.

In vain we tune our formal songs,
In vain we strive to rise;
Hosannas languish on our tongues,
And our devotion dies.

Dear Lord! and shall we ever live
At this poor dying rate?
Our love so faint, so cold to Thee,
And Thine to us so great!

Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove,
With all Thy quick’ning powers;
Come, shed abroad the Savior’s love
And that shall kindle ours.

Written by Isaac Watts, Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove, is one of several hymns written by the "Father of English Hymnody". 

Isaac was born of a nonconformist father who was jailed because of his beliefs.   He was educated in Southampton and his ability at verse got him noticed and sent along to higher education.   From Wikipedia I learned this:
From an early age, Watts displayed a propensity for rhyme. Once, he responded when asked why he had his eyes open during prayers:

A little mouse for want of stairs
ran up a rope to say its prayers.
Receiving corporal punishment for this, he cried:

O father, father, pity take
And I will no more verses make.

Everyone assumed that he would be ordained in the Church of England but like his father he chose to become a nonconformist.  (source)

He wrote most of hymns when he left the academy at 20 years old. 

He ordained as a pastor at age 24 in an Independent Church.   However 10 years later, he contracted a bad fever that broken his constitution, and he gained a co-pastor.   He wrote a great many works.  By the end of his life he had written more than 500 hymns.

"We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Lyrics

Savior, teach me day by day
Love’s sweet lesson to obey,
Sweeter lesson cannot be,
Loving Him who first loved me.

With a child’s glad heart of love
At Thy bidding may I move,
Prompt to serve and follow Thee,
Loving Him who first loved me.

Teach me thus Thy steps to trace,
Strong to follow in Thy grace,
Learning how to love from Thee,
Loving Him who first loved me.

Love in loving finds employ,
In obedience all her joy;
Ever new that joy will be,
Loving Him who first loved me.

Thus may I rejoice to show
That I feel the love I owe;
Singing, till Thy face I see,
Of His love who first loved me.

This Sunday was the first time I had ever sung this hymn.   I thought it a great hymn and hope we sing it again soon.  It fit really well with today's Sermon on God's Love.

This Hymn was written by Jane E Leeson as a children's hymn/sung prayer.   She primarily wrote poems, some of which were turned into hymns.

"She was a member of a strange and spurious sect known as the Holy Catholic Apostolic Church" this church met in Bishopgate.  (source)   Later in life she joined the Roman Catholic Church.    

Miss Leeson wrote 13 hymns that are remembered, this is one of her most commonly sung hymns.  For information on the hymns she wrote you can visit this site. Beyond that, we don't know a whole lot more about this poet. 

The TOS crew round up topic for this week is what our favourite homeschool product.   When I saw the topic I knew immediately what our favourite product is.  One that I don't even have to ask my son to do.  :)   Veritas Press.   We reviewed history and bible.

My son loves doing Veritas Press... he particularly loves their history, but he likes the bible programs as well.   Currently he's working through Explorers to 1815.  

I rarely see him working on it as he does it first thing in the morning, but I know he is working on it because it often comes up in our conversation, particularly when we are reading another book.  He'll pipe in with additional comments or say "correct me if I'm wrong mom, but _______________".  I'll ask where he learned that and he'll say "Veritas Press told me". 

I take him at his word unless it seems totally off and then that's what google is for right?   9 times out of 10  he remembers it correctly which I think is just marvellous.   I do find it interesting how he will tell me, I don't remember much from the middle ages, but when the topic comes up in our reading, he remembers far more than he thinks it does...that tune they do is a marvellous aid in recall.

So what do we like about Veritas Press?
It's self-paced, full of history and humour, games and questions, quirky songs to help you remember information, and has optional projects to do.

I have to admit though... that lately the lad is asking if we can do Apologia.  We're studying astronomy (it's an upcoming review) so stay tuned... I wonder which will win out in the end... won't be long till the end of the Crew Run when we have to pick our favourites for the year.. what will it be.. Veritas Press or Apologia???

Others from the crew will be writing on their favourite product as well so why don't you visit us RIGHT HERE.  :)